Darr told The Associated Press on Wednesday he's leaning against challenging Pryor, but hasn't made a final decision. Darr said he's still eyeing a run for Congress or a re-election bid next year.

Darr said he believed there would be a stronger candidate to challenge Pryor, but declined to say who. Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton has been mentioned as a potential candidate.

Pryor, a two-term Democrat, has been targeted by Republicans who say he's one of the most vulnerable incumbents running next year. Darr in February announced that he wouldn't run for governor and backed Republican Asa Hutchinson's bid for the state's top office.